Stockholm vs Gothenburg
How to read the comparison chart
The grouped bars score each city 0–100 on cost, climate and safety — taller is better. Stockholm leads on any axis where its bar is higher, Gothenburg where its is. The cost bar uses a higher-is-cheaper scale, so Gothenburg's taller cost bar reflects its lower cost of living, not a higher price.
| Axis | Stockholm | Gothenburg |
|---|---|---|
| Livability | 64 | 65 |
| Cost (higher=cheaper) | 44 | 46 |
| Climate | 81 | 84 |
| Safety | 68 | 67 |
| Summer °C | 16.7 | 16.2 |
| Winter °C | -2.8 | -1.1 |
| Top disaster risk | extreme cold / winter | flooding |
Stockholm vs Gothenburg: the short answer
Gothenburg comes out ahead on overall livability (65/100), only marginally above Stockholm (64/100). The two cities diverge most on climate. On affordability Gothenburg is the cheaper base — nearly identical prices on our cost index (Stockholm 44 vs Gothenburg 46, where a higher score means a lower cost of living, normalised from World Bank price levels). For climate, Stockholm runs warmer in summer (about 16.7°C peak vs 16.2°C in Gothenburg), while winter lows sit near -2.8°C in Stockholm and -1.1°C in Gothenburg. On natural-disaster exposure Stockholm is the safer choice (safety 68/100); the dominant modelled hazard is extreme cold / winter for Stockholm and flooding for Gothenburg.
Which city should you choose?
- On a tight budget → Gothenburg — lower everyday costs..
- You want warmth → Stockholm — hotter summers.
- Safety is the priority → Stockholm — lower disaster risk.
- Best all-rounder → Gothenburg — highest overall livability.
Data & methodology
Cost scores are normalised from World Bank price-level data. Climate figures (summer highs, winter lows) are drawn from 1991–2020 climate normals. Disaster-safety blends USGS earthquake history (magnitude 4.5+ within 300 km since 1980), tropical-cyclone basin position, flood/elevation exposure and Köppen climate zone. The livability score is the weighted composite of cost, climate and safety. All figures are planning indicators for 2026, not guarantees — verify specifics before relocating.
FAQ
Is Stockholm or Gothenburg better to live in?
Gothenburg scores higher overall — 65 vs 64 on our 0–100 livability index, which weights cost, climate and safety.
Which is cheaper, Stockholm or Gothenburg?
Gothenburg has the lower cost of living (cost index 46 vs 44; higher = cheaper, from World Bank price levels).
Which is warmer, Stockholm or Gothenburg?
Stockholm — summer highs reach about 16.7°C versus 16.2°C in Gothenburg.
Which is safer from natural disasters, Stockholm or Gothenburg?
Stockholm (disaster-safety 68/100). Main hazard: extreme cold / winter in Stockholm, flooding in Gothenburg.
What is the main natural-disaster risk in Stockholm?
extreme cold / winter is the dominant modelled hazard for Stockholm on our risk index.
How is the Stockholm vs Gothenburg comparison calculated?
Cost comes from World Bank price levels, climate from 1991–2020 normals, and disaster risk from USGS earthquake data, cyclone-basin position and flood exposure; livability is their weighted composite.